VECTOR average speed cameras are forward-facing systems that calculate a driver's average speed between paired camera positions. Unlike fixed point cameras such as the Gatso, a single VECTOR camera cannot generate a prosecution on its own - both the entry and exit cameras in a pair must record the same vehicle. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about VECTOR cameras from UK motorists.
VECTOR Speed Camera Questions and Answers
How VECTOR cameras work
Do VECTOR cameras work in pairs?
Yes. VECTOR average speed cameras always work in pairs. Your average speed is calculated between the entry and exit camera. A single VECTOR camera on its own cannot generate a prosecution - you must pass both cameras in the pair for a speed measurement to be recorded.
Is there a minimum distance between VECTOR cameras?
There is no set minimum or maximum distance for VECTOR camera zones. Zones can vary considerably in length - some motorway systems use cameras very close together to cover slip roads and junctions. The nearby Forty Foot Bank road SPECS cameras in Cambridgeshire, for example, are positioned very close to each other.
Do VECTOR cameras operate 24 hours a day?
Yes. VECTOR cameras use infra-red illumination and can operate continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should not assume a VECTOR camera is inactive at night or at any other time.
What VECTOR cameras can catch
Can VECTOR cameras catch motorcycles?
It depends on the direction the cameras are facing. Many VECTOR cameras are forward-facing, which means they photograph the front of the vehicle including the driver's face. Motorcycles do not carry a front number plate in the UK, so a forward-facing VECTOR camera cannot identify a motorcycle from the front. However, rear-facing VECTOR cameras can photograph the rear number plate and can catch motorcycles. CCTV on nearby roads may also be used to assist identification.
Do VECTOR cameras photograph the driver or just the number plate?
VECTOR cameras are forward-facing, so they photograph the front of the vehicle including the driver's face and the front number plate. This is unlike rear-facing cameras such as the Gatso, which photograph only the back of the vehicle.
Do VECTOR cameras flash?
No. VECTOR average speed cameras do not use a visible flash. They use infra-red illumination which is invisible to the human eye, allowing them to operate 24 hours a day without any visible light output. You will not see a flash if a VECTOR camera records your speed.
Beating a VECTOR camera
Can I beat a VECTOR camera by slowing down before the exit camera?
Possibly, but it depends on which cameras are paired. If the entry and exit cameras are the first and third cameras in a zone, slowing down at the second camera will not help if your overall average between the first and third is still above the limit. The only safe approach is to maintain a legal speed throughout the entire zone.
Fines and NIPs
How long before I receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution?
A Notice of Intended Prosecution must be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the alleged offence. If you do not receive one within that period, the prosecution may not be able to proceed, though there are some exceptions. Our NIP guide explains the process in detail.
Got a VECTOR question not answered above? Use our contact form to send it to us. Please note we cannot provide legal advice or comment on individual speeding cases.
For full technical details on how VECTOR cameras work, visit our VECTOR speed camera guide. For questions about other camera types, see the Speed Camera FAQs page.
Disclaimer: Answers published on SpeedCamerasUK.com represent the views of the site and its contributors. SpeedCamerasUK.com is not connected to any UK Police force, local authority, or Safety Camera Partnership.
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